Jack Nowell sidelined for 10 weeks after undergoing thumb operation

England international Jack Nowell is set to miss the start of the 2016/17 season for the Aviva Premiership club Exeter Chiefs due to a thumb injury.

The 23-year-old, who joined the club in 2012, has undergone a thumb operation with Exeter coach Rob Baxter confirming that Nowell might need between eight to 10 weeks of rehabilitation period. Baxter further revealed that the rest of the squad apart from Nowell are fit and raring to go.

"Jack Nowell is out after an operation on an injured thumb so he is going to be out for a while," Baxter told Exeter's official website.

"It is potentially something like an eight-to-10 week injury. Other than him though, we are looking pretty good and have a pretty good squad for the start of the season."

It was only recently the Sandy Park based club had signed a three-year contract extension with Nowell along with Henry Slade and Luke Cowan-Dickie.

After finishing second in the 2015/16 season of Aviva Premiership, Exeter will begin the upcoming season with an away game against Wasps at the Ricoh Arena on 4th September while their pre-season begins on 13th August against the Scarlets at Sandy Park.